In 2008 a new reverse design for the £1 was issued featuring the Royal
Shield of Arms - designed by Timothy Noad. The edge inscription in Latin
reads DECUS ET TUTAMEN which translates as; An Ornament and a Safeguard.
This dates back to the first machine struck coins minted in 1662 and
refers to the inscription itself which was intended to prevent people
scraping valuable metal off the edge of the coin - a process known as
'clipping'.